Salvador is considered the Brazilian capital of happiness because it hosts the largest carnival in the world. You will find beautiful architecture, wild cuisine, and rich cultural history here. After being given the title in 1763, Rio de Janeiro became Brazil's capital. The Portuguese founded Salvador in 1549, and the seaport soon became a hub for the sugar and enslaved person trade. Salvador blends the past with the present. There is a French quarter-like atmosphere in Pelourinho, the city's oldest district. Pedal past pastel-colored homes and stroll along cobbled streets. Throughout the city, you can find wonderfully preserved examples of the city's colonial architecture, one of the largest collections in Latin America. As Salvador sprawls along a stunning coastline, you'll have plenty of opportunities to sink your toes into soft Brazilian sand.
The magic of Salvador, Bahia, captures hearts. It has a vibrant street life and warm, friendly people. To know more highlights, continue reading.
Gé and Tupinambá indigenous people inhabited Salvador centuries before Portuguese explorers colonized it. We now know Salvador de Bahia because the Portuguese founded it in 1549. The city has a historic center known for its musical, cultural, and dance traditions.
Mercato Modelo, conveniently located near the Salvador cruise port, is Salvador's most famous shopping area. With over 250 shops and vendors selling handmade crafts and traditional Brazilian souvenirs, you won't run out of things to do.
Salvador's street life is one of its highlights. People love walking down the street, whether it's a lively conversation about soccer over a beer or four, a samba circle on the street, or a card game or backgammon game. The roads are the place where friends live out their lives. A beer and a request to join in make new friends easily here.
This city's architectural richness and cultural diversity make it one of the world's most exciting capital cities. In Salvador, you will see colonial buildings, attractive markets, the world's first outdoor lift, museums, churches, and galleries. Here is a list of interesting spots to visit.
Salvador da Bahia was built on the shore of the Bay of All Saints in 1549 when the Portuguese landed on Brazil's coast. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Pelourinho, is the remains of the city's beautiful European architecture, including the streets, squares, and churches of the historical center that used to be a public flogging ground.
There are plenty of ornate churches in San Francisco. Still, one stands out with a gold-encrusted interior adorned with wood carvings. Gilding the high altar took two years because of its elaborate design. From 1708 to 1750, this church was built in a mixture of Manneristic and Baroque styles. Azulejo (tiled) pictures and elaborate wood carvings decorate the choir's ceiling, which depicts scenes and themes associated with the Virgin Mary. A superb Portuguese tile picture also covers the square cloister's walls. The Franciscan Third Order church's impressively carved facade is direct across the street from the friary church. This church's sculptural decorations, as well as its sumptuous interior decoration, are far superior to those found in Portuguese and Italian Baroque. The style resembles Spanish Churrigueresque, which was extremely popular in colonial Mexico.
It is easy to see why the Lacerda Lift is one of the most famous landmarks in Salvador. The Upper City was connected to the Lower City by an old pulley system dating back to the 17th century. During the 19th century, a 19th-century art-deco elevator was constructed. It has been improved a lot throughout the years, and it can now accommodate 32 people for 30 seconds in each elevator! All Saints Bay, Mercado Modelo, and more can be seen from the top of the elevator.
There's no better way to experience Bahia than to get out of town. Travel north of Salvador to Arembepe, a small coastal town. A hippie village selling local produce and crafts is just a short walk from the city center. Despite the lack of electricity, locals live off the land, building mud houses from straw, and living off the land. Janis Joplin stayed here in 1970, as did the Novos Baianos on several occasions in the '60s and '70s. Sea turtle conservation projects are also conducted on the beach. There is a good chance of seeing baby turtles swimming in the ocean from December through February.
Boipeba Island is a perfect day trip for people who want to step back. Take a two-hour ferry from Salvador to Santo Domingo. No motorbikes or cars are allowed on the small island in a protected environmental area with four villages. Foot or farm tractor transport is the only mode of transportation. In addition to tropical rainforests, salt marshes, dunes, extensive mangroves, live reefs, palm tree-lined beaches, and a rich ecosystem of plant life and animals, the island is home to native Atlantic rainforests, salt marshes, and sand dunes. Guest houses, bars, and restaurants are found at Moreré, but there is no dock for boats. Canoes are the only way to get into and out of this charming village.
If you can handle warm weather, December-March is the best time to visit Salvador. In any case, August-October is the best time. Some great parties in Salvador contribute to Bahia's reputation as a land of joy. At certain times of the year, the capital of Bahia explodes with art due to the mix of cultures. Heat and oppression are the characteristics of summer, while mild weather dominates winter.
